How to use the tsunami wave speed calculator
Find the speed of a shallow-water wave such as a tsunami. Enter ocean depth, travel distance in the fields above; the wave speed, wave speed, travel time are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Formula
Variables
- d — Ocean depth (m)
- L — Travel distance (km)
Worked example
With ocean depth = 4000 m, travel distance = 3000 km, the calculator gives wave speed ≈ 198.0571 m/s; wave speed ≈ 713.0054 km/h; travel time ≈ 4.207542 h.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the tsunami wave speed calculation?
Wave speed (m/s) = √(GRAV × d). Wave speed (km/h) = [Wave speed] × 3.6. Travel time (h) = L / [Wave speed]. Here d is ocean depth (m), L is travel distance (km).
What inputs do I need for the tsunami wave speed calculator?
You need ocean depth in m, travel distance in km. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use this calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.